Tops Fifteen Male Vocalists of the Twentieth Century

I can't believe no one has mentioned Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys.

Also Barry White, Righteous Brothers, BJ Thomas, and maybe Darryl Hall.

Have you not heard of Bing Crosby and Perry Como. Even Buddy Clark who died in 1949 had more big hits than most

How about the 21st century tell me how this sounds

1. Chris Martin- can it be more ovious, Coldplay has the best vocals and has never come out with a "bad" song. I love every single one

2. Bono- U2 is still rocking a rollin

3. John Legend- this guy is amazing he is a class act

4. Jack Johnson- hippie or not he can sing

I don't think anyone's mentioned these guys, but they must be on the list.

Otis Redding

David Bowie

Wilson Picket

Johnny Mathis

Mel Carter

Art Garfunkel

Richard Ashcroft of The Verve

MusicTherapist,

Thanks for the props on Mr. Excitement.

At the same time, yeah...on reflection I'd agree that Axl doesn't belong on the short list. And certainly not ahead of Mercury or Plant. My bad there. Other names though from the 20th century pop world...Vic Damone (I remember this said about him: "best set of pipes in the business"), Andy Williams (not for me), and Vaughn Monroe. Here's Monroe doing the great "Ghost Riders in the Sky":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xsfw9CEQITA

Jeri Brown,

As I recall, I believe that Bing Crosby is who Frank Sinatra patterned himself after when he started out. I think Crosby was a mentor to Frank.

Tom Jones, Peabo Bryson, Josh Grobin, Stevie Wonder, Adam Lambert

Ah, yes, Vic Damone. He deserves a place.

He's the only person I've ever heard do "Send In The Clowns" right. Taking that song out of the play it was written for just comes across as schlocky when everyone else does it. Vic's retired now, but if I ever saw him that's the one song I'd probably ask for.

I also had a high school teacher that grew up in love with Vaughn Monroe the way kids are with the Jonas Bros now.

It took me a long time and a lot of listening to understand Frank Sinatra and why he is great. I'd probably put him first. I still haven't done my list though. To understand Frank, I think you have to begin in the 1940's when he was with Tommy Dorsey, and move on from there. It wasn't just his voice--it was his brain too. He interpreted songs with his phrasing (which was masterful) and his emotion and some of the greatest arrangements (usually done by Nelson Riddle) ever. Also, he laid his voice down live with the orchestra around him in a circle, the same way Barbra's always done it. He didn't believe in tracking. And he never started a recording before 10 pm, so it always has that little something extra. I can't put it into words.

I sure loved Jackie Wilson though. And although he never sang for Motown, Barry Gordy's sister once told me that Jackie probably had more influence on Barry's undertaking the starting of Motown (Tamla) records than any other single person.

Hootie wrote:

How about the 21st century tell me how this sounds

1. Chris Martin- can it be more ovious, Coldplay has the best vocals and has never come out with a "bad" song. I love every single one

2. Bono- U2 is still rocking a rollin

3. John Legend- this guy is amazing he is a class act

4. Jack Johnson- hippie or not he can sing

Jack Johnson can sing yes, most people can. Is he a great vocalist? Hell no. He has a nice chill voice but in terms of being a great vocalist he should not be on any top 15 lists at all. Anyone can sing Jack Johnson, his range is incredibly limited, and the notes are sung so softly that it really doesn't take much talent or practice to sing his songs. Seriously, just go out right now and sing a song by him, I gurantee you that you can do it even if you've not a singer.

Steven Seagal can sing Jack Johnson for christ's sake...

Matthew Bellamy?

What about the 21st century? I'll start that list with Colin Meloy of The Decemberists ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9JKoCtoox8&feature=related ).

No love yet for D'Angelo?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAfuUZRou7g

George Jones.

george michael

bob dylan

Okay, here's my Top Ten (for today), in order:

Frank Sinatra

Louis Armstrong

Jackie Wilson

Van Morrison

John Lennon/Paul McCartney (they needed each other)

Fats Waller

The Four Freshman (as one voice)

Elvis

Nat "King" Cole

Robert Plant

Honorable Mention:

Roy Orbison

Bill Monroe

Freddy Mercury

Tex Beneke (Glenn Miller Big Band)

Cab Calloway

Bob Dylan

Johnny Ray

Sam Cooke

Cab Calloway

Hank Williams

Manhattan Transfer (as one unit)

and William Shatner (kidding)

My personal, all-time favorite vocalist:

Chet Baker (and cool jazz trumpeter)

And if anyone who came into public acclaim after 1980 deserves to be on this list, near the top should be Ted Hawkins (check out his one album: The Next 100 Years).

No, no, no, no, no, no. Not the Manhattan Transfer

Otis Redding

Marvin Gaye

Roger Daltrey

Lowell George (of Little Feat)

Jeff Buckley

Chris Cornell

Layne Staley